Month: March 2016

Gale Library ~ Newton NH

April 6, 2016 6:30 pm

Author Lynn M. Collins to Hold Book Event at Gale Library

Author Lynn M. Collins will read from her new book, Sperm Tales: An Informative Guide Through the Challenges of Infertility at the Gale Library, 16 S Main Street, Newton, NH on Wednesday, April 6th at 6:30 p.m.

According to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, infertility affects about 6.1 people in the United States, which is about ten percent of the reproductive age population. Collins’ unique fertility guide, Sperm Tales: An Informative Guide Through the Challenges of Infertility, provides clear answers to questions of all women of childbearing age, and helps them gain a better understanding of fertility and the potential roadblocks they may confront if they wait too long.

This easy-to-read guide explains how infertility affects both men and women, while covering the latest treatments. For instance, How to Choose a Fertility Center, The Initial Consult, Causes of Female/Male Infertility, Procedures for an IUI, In Vitro Fertilization, Same Sex Couples, Sperm Banking, Egg Donors and much more. Sperm Tales also provides a list of acronyms, a glossary of terms and humorous asides from an imaginary friendly sperm named Spanky.

Collinsdraws on her experience as a laboratory supervisor for a leading national sperm bank and manager for a multi-million dollar infertility laboratory. Written with compassion, humor, as well as clear step-by-step information about the numerous challenges — medical and otherwise — Sperm Tales walks you through the journey of infertility treatment.

Lynn M. Collins was trained in the Infertility field at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA. She later set up and worked for more than 10 years at an Infertility Lab and Sperm Bank in Danvers, MA. She lives in Newton, New Hampshire with her husband, Kevin, black lab Shamus and cat Trapper John.

The author will read a selection from Sperm Tales and be on hand to answer questions and sign copies of the book. With each signed book, you will receive a tip sheet, “10 Fertility Tips: How to Make Pregnancy Possible.” The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

Avocado diet ‘triples chance of success’ for couples undergoing IVF

Eating avocados and dressing salads with olive oil could help women trying to have a baby through IVF, researchers claim.

Foods typically eaten as part of the Mediterranean diet may triple the chances of success for women having the fertility treatment.

A study found monounsaturated fat – found in olive oil, sunflower oil, nuts and seeds – was better than any other kind of dietary fat for would-be mothers. Those who ate the highest amounts were 3.4 times more likely to have a child after IVF than those who ate the lowest amounts.

In contrast, women who ate mostly saturated fat, found in butter and red meat, produced fewer good eggs for use in fertility treatment.

US experts behind the study believe monounsaturated fats – which are already known to protect the heart – could improve fertility by lowering inflammation in the body.

The study was presented at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in Istanbul.

It was carried out at Harvard School of Public Health, funded by the US National Institutes of Health.

The study took place among 147 women having IVF at the Massachusetts General Hospital Fertility Center.

Their intake of different dietary fats was recorded and the outcome of fertility treatment compared between the highest and lowest third of intake in each category.

Women eating the highest levels of all types of fat had fewer good eggs available for use in treatment.

Prof Chavarro said the link was driven by saturated fat intake, while high levels of polyunsaturated fat consumption produced poorer quality embryos.

Higher intakes of monounsaturated fat were linked to a 3.4 times higher live birth rate than those with the lowest intake.

For those eating least, monounsaturated fat made up nine per cent of calories in their diet while it comprised a quarter for those eating the most.

Prof Chavarro said ‘Different types of fat are known to have different effects on biological processes which may influence the outcome of assisted reproduction – such as underlying levels of inflammation or insulin sensitivity.

‘However, it is not clear at this moment which biological mechanisms underlie the associations we found.’

He said fish remained a source of ‘good’ omega 3 fatty acids, although the study was not able to pin down its contribution.

Infertility Answers by Sharon LaMothe

Sperm Tales-An Informative Guide Through the Challenges of Infertility by Lynn M. Collins

Sperm Tales-An Informative Guide Through the Challenges of Infertility by Lynn M. Collins truly touches on many of the issues of infertility and treatments throughout each and every page of the 26 chapters in this book. Although I don’t think you could guess from the title, Sperm Tales is dedicated to women who maybe struggling to become pregnant, have questions regarding fertility or couples who are going through treatments and want a further explanation of what tests and medications are being prescribed to them. It is easy to read with short stories of real patient scenarios that will make you either laugh out loud or cringe with sympathy. Yes, there is quite a bit of information regarding the male factor but I found that Sperm Tales a well-balanced tutorial for anyone who is just trying to understand the concept of infertility. Discussed are tests, procedures, complications and causes that accompany the diagnoses of infertility. I believe it’s a great book to have in any well stocked Assisted Reproductive Professional’s library or for a newly diagnosed patient.

Lynn M. Collins was trained in the Infertility field at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA. She later set up and worked for more than 10 years at an Infertility Lab and Sperm Bank in Danvers, MA. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband, Kevin, black lab Shamus and cat Trapper John.